Philip Yancey has written many books, but probably his most famous is “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” which I reread recently. It is a book that sets out to challenge the church to be people of grace: of forgiveness, kindness, understanding, generosity. People whom sinners, addicts,...
It’s probably about time for another Christian book review. Thomas Traherne’s “Poetry and Prose” I’ve already praised (and haven't finished yet) but in the last few months, I have read the following other Christian books: “Those who wait: Finding God in Disappointment, Doubt and Delay”...
I have just finished reading “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes” by Kenneth E. Bailey. It took a while, because it is a lengthy read (400+ pages) and sometimes quite densely packed and argued. I would recommend this learned and passionate book very strongly as an aid...
A few weeks ago a friend on Facebook sent out a plea for people to review her book before it’s published next Monday (16th October.) I’ve never met Tanya Marlow, but over the last year I’ve become electronically acquainted with her in her role as Christian...
I thought it was time for another Resources book review. These reviews in theory are supposed to address the following aims that I have mentioned before: To help people, including myself, to stay Christians by honestly facing and exploring, from within the faith and before God, the...
A friend recently lent me "Understanding the Bible" by John Stott. (Please note this is a review of the 1972 edition. I’m sure there must be a later one. This has nice illustrations by Annie Vallotton, who did the gorgeous drawings in the Good News Bible.) I...
By the way, it has been pointed out to me that my unscientific recap of Jane Austen-themed works foolishly omitted the film "Clueless", an excellent updated version of "Emma". Including it would have helped to redress the balance away from the otherwise rather dominant "Pride...
I have been simultaneously reading two slightly unorthodox Christian books – “Jesus Wants to Save Christians (A Manifesto for the Church in Exile)” by Rob Bell (American), and “How To Be a Bad Christian (and a Better Human Being)” by Dave Tomlinson (British). One of...
“Good Disagreement? Grace and Truth in a Divided Church”, edited by Andrew Atherstone and Andrew Goddard, was published last year by Lion Hudson. It consists of a series of chapters by different people (including Ian Paul, formerly of St John’s, whose blog Psephizo.com I have...
(Apologies for the length of this post. I do love the sound of my own keyboard...